New Brockton ready for season

The New Brockton football team started its second week of fall practice, and the Gamecocks made sure they brought physicality into their game.

“That was our biggest goal on Thursday,” New Brockton coach Jim Bob Striplin said. “It was to see who wants to hit. So that’s our big thing this year. We want to be able to hit somebody.”

Last week was the first week New Brockton has worn pads, and Striplin said the team is practicing more on tackling and hitting.

“As we moved into pads, we really tried to pick up the intensity and we’re trying to get as much contact in as we can this week,” he said. “We’re really trying to push them to come off the ball faster than the man in front of them.”

The team has been working hard all summer by working out and participating in 7-on-7s, and Striplin said he can see the changes in the defense.

“Assignment wise and alignment wise they’re right where they need to be at this time,” he said. “We’re starting to develop a little depth at key positions on the defense. The defensive front will be our ticket.”

The Gamecocks look forward to their offense creating match up problems for their opponents.

“Our strength on offense as far as skill sets goes will be our tight ends,” Striplin said. “We’ve got three big tight ends starting with Chad Bryant, Jordan Holloway and Daniel Everhart. The great thing about those guys is they’re almost like offensive linemen playing skill positions.”

New Brockton finished 3-7 last season and is aiming to return to the playoffs this year. Although the season doesn’t officially begin until Aug. 31, with a road game against Providence Christian, the team is ready to work toward its goal.

The Gamecocks will host the Daleville Warhawks in a jamboree on Aug. 24.

“We’re really excited about getting started on the 24th,” Striplin said. “I feel like we’re at the point where we have everything set where we want it as a program.”